Spend a day with the Tiwi people, exploring their vibrant community, learning about their culture and traditions, and purchasing unique handmade arts and crafts.

PRICE: $312
per person

 

Begin your adventure by making your way to the Cullen Bay Ferry Terminal, just a five-minute drive from Darwin CBD. At the upper platform, present a copy of your itinerary at the ticket booth to be checked by the Tiwi Island Ferry staff (Sealink) and collect your ferry ticket. Once boarding has commenced, step aboard the Tiwi Mantawi for a scenic 2½-hour cruise to Bathurst Island.

Please note: Your AAT Kings Guide will meet you on Bathurst Island and will not be present at the Cullen Bay Ferry Terminal.

On arrival at Bathurst Island, you will be welcomed by your local guide and begin an immersive journey through the vibrant Aboriginal community of Wurrumiyanga. Visit the museum to see traditional art and hear Tiwi ‘dreamtime’ stories, then explore the Early Mission Precinct to learn about the colourful history of the mission and how Tiwi culture has blended with Christianity. Spend time with Tiwi artists as they create traditional paintings, witness totem dances and a smoking ceremony that blesses visitors while explaining their cultural significance, and sample local billy tea and damper. You will also tour the Arts & Crafts Centre, see the artists at work, and have the opportunity to purchase authentic Tiwi arts, crafts, and screen-printed fabrics at island prices. Learn about the Pukamani burial ceremony rituals, a cornerstone of Tiwi tradition, before returning to the ferry landing to depart Bathurst Island for Darwin at 3:15 PM, completing a day full of cultural discovery and unforgettable experiences.

Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet a modern-day Aboriginal community
Meet and learn about the Aboriginal community of Wurrumiyanga
Watch the Tiwi ladies work on their arts and crafts, and perform a smoking ceremony
Learn about the community’s complex rituals and unique traditions
Discover the hub of the Northern Territory’s cattle and farming industries

Round-trip ferry between Darwin and Bathurst Island
Transportation in an air-conditioned coach
Local guide
Snack (billy tea with damper)
Lunch
There is no hotel pick-up or drop-off for this tour. Guests must make their own way to the Cullen Bay Ferry Terminal by 7:20am to meet Sealink, the ferry operator.

 

This is just one of the many unforgettable experiences the Australia has to offer. Discover more tours, hidden gems, and must-see spots in Brisbane, Melbourne, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney or on our complete Australia guide.